McCaffery: 76ers need to put Bynum distractions in rear view

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins shouts to his team in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. The Thunder won 109-85. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

PHILADELPHIA — For better, for worse, or maybe just for something to do, Andrew Bynum popped into view the other day for another in a bottomless supply of teases.

He said his knees are feeling better, as well they should, since he hasn’t done much but bowl since last basketball season. Soon, he will run — an activity said to have some basketball value. Eventually, he will squeeze into the middle of the Sixers’ offense, just in time for something.

It might be just in time for a playoff run. Or it might be just in time for him to add to whatever personal value he will have in the next free agent bazaar. For now, it’s the Sixers’ responsibility to cease paying attention. Their 15-21 record is distraction enough; they don’t need that, too.

“I think we are all encouraged that hopefully he is going to come back and play,” Doug Collins said. “But the one thing you don’t want to do is dig yourself such a hole that you can’t get out of it. That’s the problem.”

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The Sixers returned from an eight-game road trip Tuesday, one so crooked, long and threatening that even Brooklyn coach P.J. Carlesimo was shaking his head, wondering how such a burden were possible. On the journey, Collins’ team was 2-and-6, but not necessarily a handsome 2-and-6 no matter how he would try to make it sound. Nor, as it would happen, would they be much better at home.

In losing, 109-89, to the Nets, the Sixers had the look of a team waiting for help to arrive. They watched Reggie Evans collect 23 rebounds through three quarters, then sit out a non-threatening fourth. Despite trailing by just a point at halftime, the Sixers spent the final 24 minutes in defensive retreat. By the fourth quarter, the Nets were simply roaming into the lane and depositing layups, few to the amusement of the assembled 16,167, fewer still to Collins. Afterward, Collins didn’t even bother with a scolding, but instead instructed the players to discuss the matters among themselves.

“Once we were already down, it takes a lot out of you — especially when they hit you that quick,” said Jrue Holiday, referencing Brooklyn’s 35-14 domination of the third quarter. “Honestly, I don’t remember how long it took. It was just a few minutes and they were up 13.”

Literally and emotionally, the Sixers were empty in the middle. Careful to avoid the potential of a fine, Collins will shake his head at his team’s inability to march to the foul line. But that’s how the Sixers were constructed, as a collection of perimeter players designed to rotate around Bynum. Thus, the risk: If Bynum makes noises about a return, the Sixers might stand there and listen.

“No,” Collins said. “No, no, no, no, no. Because we’ve talked about it. I think he is getting excited. I think he wants to play. I think he sees how he can help our team. We all know how he can help our team. We all know what we gave up to get him.

“But I have tried to set the tone from Moment 1 that we can’t be doing this. Because then, all of a sudden, you forget what’s ahead of you. When you drive a car, you look through the windshield 95 percent of the time. You check your rear-view mirror just occasionally to see what’s behind you. If you drive in the rear-view mirror, you’ve got problems.”

The Sixers finished their one-game homestand at 0-1 and will visit Toronto Wednesday. Then, they will play 12 of 13 at home, giving them plenty of motivation to look ahead.

“You’ve got Houston coming in, you’ve got San Antonio coming in, you’ve got the Knicks coming in,” Collins said. “So unfortunately, we are not going to play a preseason schedule that a Big East team might play to get about nine wins in a row to get you back rolling. We are going to have to beat great teams.”

If Bynum ever returns healthy, that’s still a possibility. But the Sixers can’t afford to stand around and be teased by the promise.